Paul Cassone is a lifelong Brooklyn resident, living in Windsor Terrace with his wife Geraldine and his three children.  Paul is a graduate of Xaverian High School, Brooklyn College and Teachers College, Columbia University.  

 

Paul volunteered at the Guild for Exceptional Children (GEC) for “Senior Involvement” while at Xaverian, and then worked as a direct service professional 8 years, at the GEC and then at ACRMD/Lifespire, advancing into administrative positions.  Paul left Lifespire in 2005 as Chief Operating Officer and came back to the Guild as Executive Director.

 

Paul served in support and leadership positions on the Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn Developmental Disabilities Councils for nearly 40 years, most recently serving as chair of the Brooklyn Council.  He has held leadership positions in the Gouverneur Parents Association, the New York State Association of Day Service Providers; New York State Association of Community Residential Agencies; and the NYS Promise Of Opportunity Planning Committee.  

 

Paul was appointed to Community Board 10 by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and serves on the Board of Directors of the Progress of People Development Corporation, a division of Catholic Charities, which provides over 4000 units of housing for low income families in Brooklyn and Queens. Paul also serves on the Board of Directors of the Interagency Council of Developmental Disabilities Services Agencies, which provides technical assistance and training to agencies throughout New York State. Paul also served in the music ministries of Our Lady of Angels and Immaculate Heart of Mary parish and makes periodic live appearances with his band, Whippoorwill, featuring the Honorable Matthew J. D’Emic, another Xaverian graduate and John Lepore.

 

Paul’s work has been recognized by numerous community and professional organizations, as well as by legislators in the NYS Assembly, Senate and the City Council of NYC.  Paul is most proud of his work in helping build better, dignified, happier and more satisfying lives for people with developmental disabilities and in helping families cope with the challenges of raising a child with special needs.